Film Analysis: The Lion In Winter

In Eleanor we see a bold, unyielding leader who tries to suppress all her emotions in order to maintain her appearance. he possible exception of the lovely Princess Alais is only concerned with the promotion of their own agenda. On the other hand, the character Alais is fully submitted to Henry and her submission allows them to share a love that Eleanor can only yearn for. They will not let anything stop them, suppressing all emotions so that they are not inhibited from reaching their objectives. Her relationship with Henry failed after they both moved into positions of power and neither was willing to sacrifice or submit to the other. All three of the sons plot against their father, with the young King Phillip of France. She openly expresses all her emotions and despite disliking the way she is treated, describing herself as a mere “pawn,” is fully devoted to King Henry. Henry's discovery of this treachery leads him to disown them all and retreat to Phillips sister Alais in hopes of bearing a new son worthy of succeeding to the throne.

The love shared between Henry and his mistress Alais strikes a sharp contrast to his relationship with his true wife Eleanor. Although she longs for and is jealous of Henry’s relationship with Alais, she is unwilling to yield her power to live such a submissive role. Her character is symbolic of the medieval woman of nobility at the time “limited as an object used to promote the amorous desires, literary aspirations, moral improvement, marital superiority, social mobility, or psychic fantasy of men.